Popular locations

Paphos is a coastal town in the southwest of Cyprus. Paphos itself is centred on a 4th Century BC port and former UNESCO World Heritage Town. The town has grown around set around this medieval harbour by Paphos Fort, and the town is intimate enough small enough to explore by foot power. The harbour is home to many of the local restaurants. It is the fourth largest town in Cyprus.

Paphos can be divided into two distinct areas; The Ktima (or upper) section of the city is the main residential area. Here is the main residential and shopping area and has remained unchanged and typically Cypriot in character. Kato(lower) Paphos is rich in archaeological places of interest, as well as hotels and bars and restaurants and entertainment venues and is more geared to tourists. The archaeological rich area is home to several tombs of ancient kings and a number of important mosaics from Ancient Greek times.

The Cypriot Government is investing heavily in the Paphos region and refurbishments to Paphos International Airport, due to be completed in 2008, will allow the airport to have the facilities to cater for 2.7 million passengers per annum.

Another major investment is due to commence shortly with plans for a new 1,000-berth luxury marina to be built near Coral Bay along with a rejuvenation project for the old Paphos harbour and major beach improvements. ‘Neapolis’ will be a first for Cyprus, and will be one of the largest anywhere in the world. It will cost $1 billion and will include a new hospital, private university, research and development centre, international business centre and office park, plus cultural and leisure facilities. A new motorway will make the rest of the island easily accessible.

The Paphos region has much to offer. It has a great year-round climate - the healthiest living and eating, with a wealth of things to see and do., but also has many great new facilities and developments. It's a wonderful place to live, work, play, retire as well as invest. It is certainly the most popular town in Cyprus with British buyers of second homes and retirement homes.

Thanks to the prevailing westerly winds, it tends to get the best and worst of the island’ s weather, but conditions are hot and pleasant for nine months of the year.And even in the winter, the weather is referred to by ex pats as good as a “British summer!”. Modern life revolves around a bustling restaurant and beach scene, particularly in the popular Coral Bay area, 10 minutes drive from the town centre. Apartments in the area cost from £80,000, while a villa overlooking the sea could set you back £400,000 or more. Prices have been and are on the increase, and very often the best deals are those which are not generally advertised. Plans for a new marina development opposite Coral Bay are likely to push prices higher yet.

One of the beautiful sights in Paphos is "Petra tou Romiou" The rock of Romios, where Aphrodite is said to have first landed on the island. The ‘Tombs of the Kings' in Coral Bay is a very interesting archaeological site; Paphos harbour with its ancient castle, Dionysos wine mosaics and beautiful churches; Akamas Peninsular National Park which is a short drive from Paphos. These are just a few of the places to visit.

Pervolia Church in Pervolia, Kiti and Mazotos

The satellite villages of Pervolia, Kiti and Mazotos are beginning to attract second home owners, retirees and buy to let investors who appreciate the virgin beauty of the area and the potential great financial returns. Why live or invest here? Consider:

• A new new golf course and leisure complex at Tersefanou is to be built
• Charming and traditional local villages and
• Miles of clean, unspoilt, and sparsely used beaches.

A new 2 bedroom apartment in Mazotos would cost from CYP65,000 while a 3 bedroom villa with private pool and seas views in Pervolia would cost from CYP190,000

Polis

Polis and Latchi on the north-west coast are now currently attracting a great deal of attention as investor areas due to their proximity to the Akamas peninsula. This is a highly regarded and protected area of outstanding natural beauty, yet still accessible from Paphos airport and town. Previously small fishing villages, they have appeal to those who prefer a more rural Cyprus experience.

Polis is one of the most beautiful towns in Cyprus, close to where Aphrodite, Goddess of love and beauty, in legend used to keep trysts with her beloved Adonis. It lies in the middle of the lovely Chrysochou Bay between the Paphos forest on the right and the Akamas peninsular on the left. This is an area of untouched natural beauty and only 6km to the west, the vast Akamas national park begins.

Latchi

Latchi is a traditional fishing village just 3 kms from Polis. It is bordered by the unspoilt area of Akamas and is 30 minutes from the main town of Paphos and its International Airport. It features a new, enlarged capacity marina and the old stone carob warehouses have been converted into restaurants, fish taverns and shopping places. It has become increasingly popular with local investors as well as overseas investors. A new highway is planned for 2008.

Limassol

Limassol is the largest city in Cyprus. Although it is not the capital (, although not its capital (this being Nicosia) Limassol is undoubtedly the cultural, business and most cosmopolitan of all the cities. The most fashionable shops, restaurants and bars are located there, especially in the old town area. The promenade has been rebuilt at the cost of £21M, and it stretches for many miles, hugging the beach. It has been called the Cannes of the East Med. As in Paphos, plans to build a new marina are in place which will seriously propel the town upwards to an international destination for upmarket clientele. A golf course is also planned just outside Limassol.

It is a main port with a cruise ship terminal, the centre of the wine industry, and also a holiday resort. There is a busy trade in short cruises to the Greek islands and Egypt.

It has been the centre for hundreds of Russian off-shore companies over the years which have had a positive effect on the local property market. Limassol has experienced high demand from Russian and Eastern European investors.

Interestingly, commercial and residential property prices in Limassol are lower than in other areas of Cyprus. Limassol offers year-long rental contracts for commercial and residential properties in the city, and short term letting for holiday property during the peak seasons.

Larnaca

Larnaca is third town and the location of its main scheduled airline airport, Larnaca is on the southeast coast, is a waterfront town. It is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and has plenty of historical sightseeing on offer to complement its bright sandy beaches, crystal clear sea and consistently blue skies. The city was called Kition in the days of the Old Testament some ruins of the ancient city can still be seen. Thankfully, much of its rich archaeological heritage has been preserved and is showcased in two main museums. The surrounding area beyond the city is rich historic ruins from the Neolithic period onwards.

Like other Cypriot coastal towns, it is made up of an older city centre bordered by a stretch of modern hotels and restaurants along the beachfront. It has an established infrastructure, shopping centre and communication links and is popular with both tourists and those seeking a second or retirement home in the sun. Larnaca is a lively town throughout the year and its abundant amenities and facilities make it a great location for retirement. Larnaca is also a popular destination for boat owners and has a 450-yacht capacity marina, The promenade is palm-lined harbour and has a great mixture of well known branded stores, quaint local shops, restaurants, cafes and panoramic ocean views.

It has a slower pace of life than Limassol, and less seasonally affected than Paphos, and proportionately fewer Britons live in this area than in the west. The area as a whole is more popular with local Greek Cyriots for second homes and Scandinavians.

There are two aspects to Larnaca’s property market: one is the development of the main town and the other is the growth of beach-side areas on the outskirts.

The nearby beaches are to be found in this district. The beaches are golden sanded; the coast sheltered from the prevalent winds, and the seas a delicious aqua blue/green, particularly as you travel up around Paralimni towards Famagusta. And the area is home to a national park. Property prices are a little higher than on the west coast, primarily because there is less land and new build development taking place here than elsewhere on the island.

Low property prices, marina expansion, shut down of oil distillery and plans for new highways make Larnaca an ideal investment area. A proposed golf course will attract investors as plans are currently under review for a luxury 5 star golf course and country club just outside Larnaca, and specifically in Tersefanou area, which has been projected for completion by December 2007. It is attracting buyers from all over Europe as the region takes on a more cosmopolitan feel to it.

Troodos

The Troodos mountains cover most of the central mass of Cyprus. It has a wild and beautiful landscape, with green hills, steep ravines, tiny villages, the forest paths, walking and off road trails. The temperature is cooler throughout the year than the coastal regions. There are ancient monasteries, which date back to the Byzantine period.

During the winter months you can bask in 70°F heat on the coast in the morning and go skiing in the snowfields of the Troodos Mountains in the afternoon! Snow falls from mid-December through to the middle to end of March. Above 4500ft the snow accumulates, especially on north facing slopes. Mount Olympus (altitude 6402ft) has a cap of snow on it for three or four months of the year, and is where the Troodos Skiing Resort is based.

Skiers at the resort can enjoy alpine skiing and cross-country trails. There are four slopes - two on the North Face of Mount Olympus and two in Sun Valley. Each has a t-bar lift system and equipment rental station.

All levels of skiing ability are catered for on the slopes. The Hear Lift on the North Face and Aphrodite Lift at Sun Valley are more suitable for beginners. Intermediate skiers will feel right at home on the Hermes slope in Sun Valley, while advanced skiers will enjoy the Zeus run located on the North Face of Mount Olympus.
Famagusta.

Famagusta District is in eastern Cyprus, less than an hour's drive from Larnaca airport, well known for its white sandy beaches and turquoise waters. The area is particularly popular among Scandinavians, but as property prices in Paphos have risen in recent years, Famagusta District has become an alternative for retirees and second homeowners.

Protaras

Protaras is a holiday resort in the Paralimni town area with cafes, bars, restaurants and shops. Cafes and fish taverns line the pedestrian’s harbour. 'Valley of the Windmills' is a short drive away. In September, the Agia Napa Street Festival takes place with acts from all over the world. Investment over the last couple of years has revitalised this area.

Nicosia

Nicosia (Lefkosa) is the capital of Cyprus. It is situated in the region of the centre of the island, in the Mesaoria Plain. Behind the city lies the Kirin Mountains, were the Pentadktylos, or ‘five finger mountain’, can be seen. The city is the financial centre of Cyprus, and holds the seat of the Government. Most embassies are located in Nicosia, and the city is home to the islands main universities.